When I first saw the YouTube video on Nintendo Switch, I fell in love with it immediately. It is more than a typical IT gadget. It is much bigger. It’s a portable console. Literally. Although I do know a friend who got the Sony Playstation 4 slim and has been bringing it overseas when he flies. But that is a story for another day.

Today, we are focusing on the Nintendo Switch. So let’s get right into it!

General Specifications

The Nintendo Switch has a 6.2-inch 1280 x 720 resolution multi-touch capacitive screen (. It has an internal storage of 32GB, which you can expand it with a microSDXC card because why not?

Games for the Switch are in the form of cartridges similar to the ones use on the Nintendo 3DS. The keyword here is SIMILAR. This means that it looks the same but it is different. So don’t start stocking up 3DS games for the Switch.

Battery

The main concern of all awesome devices is the battery life. Nintendo says that the battery life on the Switch can last between 2.5 hours to 6 hours depending on the type of game being played. I would prefer that they tell me a definite number of hours than a range. Can you imagine bringing out the console with your favourite game and it ended up sucking up the juices within 2 hrs? That will really suck big time! I know this may be too much to ask but perhaps Switch’s games can have the duration labelled on their boxes to alert the consumers. At least let us know the duration expected, please. The ball is in your court, the marketing team of game developers!

The versatility of Switch

The Nintendo Switch, as the name implies, allows you to switch to the various modes of gaming style suited to your needs.

You can:

• dock it and play it on your TV;
• bring it along and play on the go;
• open the kickstand and place it on the table to play it; or
• with the Joy-Con (controller), play games like the very much missed Wii.

For me, I definitely love the portability and also the versatility for me to play Wii-like games. My wife will love it!

Availability of games

Unfortunately, there are not many selections at the moment. Here’s the list of the game titles coming to the Switch. Hey, FIFA is on it. Although I doubt the resolution will be as good as on my Playstation 4. Another exciting game title to look out for is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe!

Online multiplayer

Like his competitors of a different level (PS4 and Xbox One), Nintendo will be charging you for online play. You can play it for free during the first few months. Personally, I feel that their system has yet been tested so I am not very sure about the reliability and I do not expect a big library of games that suits everyone’s tastes soon. So I’ll pass.

P.S. I don’t even have a Playstation Plus account. Come on!

Price

The Nintendo Switch will be on sale on 3 March 2017 at USD299.99. My best guess on the price for our Singapore market? It could be priced at $499.

Here’s what’s included. I’m actually sceptical about what’s included. Not sure why.

Image credit: Nintendo

Anyway, my all-time favourite game shop, Playe, has yet to announce anything yet. But users with an online account with them can add it to their wishlist and perhaps when it is launched, your quick fingers can easily add it to cart in a matter of seconds like how some ladies can when waiting for the launch of new clothes from Love Bonito. Ok. Bad metaphor.

Will I buy?

Sure! But not as soon as the date strikes 3 March 2017. I always wait out a little and review what owners of new gadgets have to say before I give the manufacturers my money. This is just what I do. This is the rule of thumb that I will never break as it has not failed me yet.

Well, this is all I have for you on Nintendo Switch. What is your take? Will you buy this even though you have a Playstation 4 or an Xbox One?